Word for the Week

Don't give up!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or faint-hearted.

Hebrews 12:1-3 (ESV UK)

If you are a lawyer, you will have discovered that practising law is not for the faint-hearted, and if you are a law student, you have now been warned! The persistence of your opponent can tempt you to take the easy way out, such as recommending a "drop hands" settlement when perseverance would achieve a better outcome, or agreeing those ill-conceived amendments to your draft lease. The temptation might even be to take one of those short-cuts that you know is not quite right, just to keep your impatient client happy.

Then there is weariness – with clients, colleagues, opponents, Court staff, even some judges, whose aim in life seems to be to make things difficult for us. How easy it can be to vent our frustration and say or even write things we later regret!

We could just try being thick-skinned and gritting our teeth, relying on our own strength to avoid reacting wrongly. However, as Christians we have the advantage that Jesus lives in us (Galatians 2:20). He experienced far worse opposition, enduring to the point of death on the Cross, yet looked forward in faith to His resurrection and ascension. Have you asked for His help with your work today?

Prayer Points:

1. Thank God that, because Jesus believed He would be raised from the dead and ascend to the right hand of the Father, He was able to endure the Cross and now empowers us to endure as we fix our eyes on Him.

2. Ask Him to enable you to see beyond that Court hearing, complex completion, difficult meeting or whatever else looms large on your horizon and to persevere in doing what is right.